Ellamay Ellys Bajanen

(Nee Roterud) passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday, September 4th, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. “May” was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Bajanen and by her siblings Vernon, Clarence, Leslie, Evelyn, and Evangeline. She leaves behind her children: Jana, Deanna, Bryan, Mark, and Paula, and their spouses; her thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren; her one surviving sister, Edvina; numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews; and also her caregivers and those who were with her in her last years (especially Dede, Ravi, and Barbi). All those who knew her loved her wit and gentle compassion.

Visitation at Messiah Lutheran Church, 12145 West Edgerton Avenue, Hales Corners, Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM. Funeral Service to follow, at 1:00 PM. Private inurnment at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, next to her beloved husband.

May worked for many years as a medical transcriptionist, but her real talent was being a mother and grandmother. She spoiled her grand kids, who all called her “Gammy B.” and loved her potato salad. She was known for trading knock-knock jokes with toddlers, hand crafting hand-made costumes for dance recitals, July 4th parades, and Halloween; and for shepherding her children or grandchildren to the music, dance, skating and other lessons she encouraged. Whatever she did her kids came first. She had a passion for gardening (vegetables, roses, and fruit trees), old black and white movies, swimming in the backyard pool, camping in the UP, backyard picnics, and family gatherings with board games. She will live on in the memories of everyone whose lives she touched.